Even though Karlos Dansby knew exactly what was coming, the Arizona Cardinals linebacker could not stop Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson from catching a short slant and taking it 72 yards for a touchdown.

On a 2nd-and-14 play in the second quarter of Arizona's 25-21 victory, Johnson lined up in the slot. Dansby, on that side of the field, relayed his suspicions about the play call to his teammates, read quarterback Matthew Stafford's eyes and jumped the route, just missing out on making the play.

"It was close," Stafford said. "Dansby was calling out the play before the play. He hesitated for a half-second. That was enough to get it in there."

With Dansby slicing through the passing lane, the window to make the throw was nearly non-existent, but Stafford gunned a fastball to Johnson, who did the rest.

If the throw is a little slower, or slightly off target, the veteran linebacker probably intercepts the pass and returns it for a score the other way.

Cornerback Patrick Peterson, who was in man coverage on Johnson, was so shocked Dansby didn't make the play that he froze when Johnson caught the ball, allowing the superstar wide receiver to turn the short gain into his franchise-record sixth touchdown of 70 or more yards.

"I didn't think Matt would try to fit it in there, but he did," Johnson said. "If anybody can fit it in there, Matt can. He definitely did. Once I caught it, I didn't feel anybody on me. I looked around was like, 'let me get out of here.'"

Johnson finished the game with six receptions for 116 yards and two scores. He added a three-yard scoring reception on a fade route later in the second quarter.

It was the 10th time he's caught two or more touchdowns in a game, breaking a team record he shared with Herman Moore entering the contest.

Johnson emerged the clear victor in the individual matchup with Peterson, one year after the Pro Bowl defensive back got the best of showdown.